The origins of KATA GankaKu in Shotokan (Chinto) in ALL other Styles is surprisingly similar. Yet variations of this Kata are so beautiful and DO NOT use Side Snap kick at all.
Using Front kick off the front leg from a Cat or Crane stance is much more practical, more powerful, straight to the point and quicker in some instances than Side Snap.
Twisting and transitioning is also quicker from (any) stance into a cat stance or High stance and can be nearly simultaneous with the front snap kick whereas the side snap kick PREP from a back stance requires MORE flexibility, MORE Agility, MORE athleticism, is LESS Natural, takes more foot steps to prep KICK and is less functional all before it is thrown.
This seems to Diminish the SELF DEFENSIVE validity of the kick. Unless you execute it to the knee level which it is not taught in Shotokan EVER.. Nor in Kihon practice.
This kick also demands Great levels of flexibility to execute it as prescribed in ALL SHOTOKAN modified Kata.
Why Side snap kick was introduced into Shotokan is still mystery, Especially for its lack of Effectiveness in SPORT and SELF DEFENSE alike.
Looking at KATA, kicking techniques found in PRE JKA Shotokan don't require as much flexibility or athleticism because they are almost limited to Front kick. "a more ergonomic technique"
Kata were created for Self defense with practicality in mind NOT for display purposes or sport.
Shotokan Kata may flow more in some ways and display great beauty and are more pleasing to the Eye but have also lost some of the combative elements because of the aesthetic modifications introduced for sport purposes and demonstrations. That alone leaves room for questioning.
There is nothing wrong with sport if that is your goal. It all boils down to personal preference. My personal preference is Self defense applications. While Sport KATA may be fun, it is far from the original purpose of KATA altogether.
I quote: “Nothing is more harmful to the world than a martial art that is not effective in actual self-defense.” – Choki Motobu (founder of Motobu-ryu Kempo and notorious Okinawan Karate street-fighter)
While I feel it's important to learn ALL the techniques you can, It's equally important to LEARN them PRACTICALLY. This is not the responsibility of the NEW student. It's OUR responsibility as Sensei's to Teach Practically before SPORTY or LOOKY. Sport should be an option, not a primary Focus.
Kata should be Deadly before Pretty. Self Defense before Self display.
In conclusion, I'll be practicing the TOMARI-TE / Shorin RYU Kata Versions from now on along side my Shotokan as I always have. I have come to the conclusion that side snap kick is nearly pointless.
Being that I TORE my hamstring in competition while performing the last of four side snap kicks in Gankaku Kata which resulted in a lifelong injury, disabling me from walking for 6 months immediately after, I am removing "side snap" from my KATA if it is to be used above the knee in my training!
Coincidentally, ALL Goju Kata side kicks are all to the knees.
Even though I can teach anyone Perfectly and Perform side snap kick fairly well today. I deem it as a single purpose technique above the waist and pointless for self defense and pointless for SPORT as well. I am still waiting to see Side snap kick in sparring or self defense to this day..
Personally, it makes sense to GO BACK TO THE ROOTS of Karate Kicking when we speak about KATA.
I feel this way regarding side snap kick after many years of study. It may be a similar reason we don't find Round kick, Hook kick, Back spinning hook kick or back kick in Original versions of KATA either .. Whatever changes that were introduced, seem to have been added in for Looks or STYLE.
FINAL Thought: My analysis of kicking effectiveness does not stem from an incapable or inexperienced approach, rather, I speak from a KICKER'S perspective. KICKING Techniques are my Favorite component within my MY KARATE Journey.
What better way to express one's findings than from a WELL VERSED approach from a career long analysis of functionality and practicality and from a very capable kicker than from a person who may have never been able to kick at all.
After all, It's about seeking knowledge through experience.
